Adrian Grenier admits missing “The Devil Wears Prada 2” “was a disappointment,” but he understands fans’ backlash toward Nate.
Nearly two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural favorite, its long-awaited sequel is moving forward — but not every familiar face from the original film is coming back.
Actor Adrian Grenier, who played Andy Sachs’ boyfriend Nate in the 2006 hit, says he’s disappointed he wasn’t asked to return for The Devil Wears Prada 2. At the same time, he admits he understands why the character might not fit the sequel’s direction.
Speaking recently to Page Six, Grenier said the news came as a letdown, even though he remains supportive of the franchise.
“We’re all fans of the movie, whether or not we’re in it,” he explained. “Obviously, it was a disappointment that I didn’t get the call to be in the sequel.”
Still, the actor hinted that the decision might be connected to how audiences have viewed Nate over the years. In online discussions and fan retrospectives, the character has often been criticized for being unsupportive of Andy during her demanding job at Runway magazine.
“That backlash with Nate might have something to do with it,” Grenier said, acknowledging the debate around the character.
In the original film, based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, Andy Sachs — played by Anne Hathaway — lands a high-pressure job assisting fashion powerhouse Miranda Priestly, portrayed by Meryl Streep.
As Andy’s career ambitions grow, her relationship with Nate becomes strained, which later sparked criticism from fans who felt he didn’t support her professional goals.
While Nate’s absence may surprise some viewers, the sequel will reunite several core stars. Streep, Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are all returning for the follow-up, which is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1.
The story reportedly follows Andy and Miranda navigating a changing media landscape as traditional print journalism continues to struggle. Meanwhile, their former colleague Emily — played again by Blunt — becomes a rival in the evolving industry.
Despite missing out on the sequel, Grenier hasn’t completely closed the door on the character. In fact, he joked that Nate’s absence could open the door for something unexpected.
“I think that just leaves room for a beautiful spinoff,” he said, imagining a future project where Nate could finally tell his side of the story.
Whether fans would welcome that idea remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: even years later, The Devil Wears Prada still sparks strong opinions about its characters.
